THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF EDINBURGH

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
OF GLASGOW


Tri-collegiate Diploma of Membership in Paediatric Dentistry
(M PAED DENT)

March 2012

GUIDANCE TO CANDIDATES

CONTENTS

1 Introduction

2 Scope of the Examination

3 Structure of the Examination

4 Clinical Case Presentations (further guidance)

5 Infringement of Regulations

6 General Information

7 Appendices


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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This document contains the Guidance to Candidates and Supervisors for the Tri-
Collegiate Diploma of Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (M Paed Dent).

Further information can be obtained from:

Examination Section
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
3 Hill Place
Edinburgh, EH8 9DS
Telephone +44 (0)131 527 1600
dental.exams@rcsed.ac.uk
www.rcsed.ac.uk

Examinations and Assessment Unit
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
232-242 St Vincent Street
Glasgow, G2 5RJ
Telephone +44 (0)141 221 6072
Fax +44 (0)141 221 1804
exam.office@rcpsg.ac.uk
www.rcpsg.ac.uk

Examination Office
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincolns Inn Fields
London, WC2A 3PR
Telephone +44 (0)20 7869 6281
Fax +44 (0)20 7869 6290
dental.specialities.exams@rcseng.ac.uk
www.rcseng.ac.uk

1.2 The entrance requirements, eligibilities and details regarding application for admission
to the examination are to be found in the Regulations.

2. SCOPE OF THE EXAMINATION

2.1 The examination of the Diploma of Membership in Paediatric Dentistry includes
Applied Sciences relevant to Paediatric Dentistry and the Principles and Practice of
Paediatric Dentistry.

2.2. The aims of the examination are to test the range of knowledge of Paediatric Dentistry
at a level expected of a specialist practitioner and to test the attainment of competence
in the planning and execution of Paediatric Dentistry requisite for specialist practice.

2.3 All parts of the examination are conducted in English.

2.4 The examination will be held in the UK according to demand.

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3. STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION

The Examination consists of four components. At their first sitting candidates must attempt
all four components of the examination (unless exempt from the Case Presentation
component please refer to Paragraph 14.2 in the Regulations). Candidates must pass
each component independently to gain a pass in the Examination overall. The components
may not necessarily be examined in the order in which they appear here. At any subsequent
sitting, candidates must attempt all outstanding elements of the examination.

The marks awarded for each component of the examination are expressed as a Pass or a
Fail.

3.1 Written Paper

One written paper of MCQ type questions in the style of Single Best Answer and/or
Extended Matching Items of three hours duration in all aspects of Paediatric Dentistry, as
defined by the Learning Outcomes.

The pass mark for the written paper is predetermined by a standard setting process in
advance and may be different for each diet.

3.2 Examination of Three Fully Documented Case Presentations

A structured oral examination of 60 minutes duration based on three fully documented case
histories each describing a paediatric patient personally treated by the candidate.

The three fully documented case presentations should be saved onto either a CD-Rom or a
USB stick and submitted by registered post or courier by the candidate at least 6 weeks prior
to the start date of the Examination. The administering College will write to all candidates
after the closing date to inform them of the latest date of submission of the cases. Once
submission has been made the cases cannot be amended or changed. If the cases are not
received by the date specified the candidate may be withdrawn from the Examination.

The candidates must have been personally involved in the majority of the patients
treatment. Patients must be under the age of 16 years at the commencement of treatment by
the candidate. The cases should normally have been treated during the five years preceding
the examination but must have been started after commencement of the period of
acceptable training. It is expected that treatment would normally have been completed and
there would be no outstanding items of treatment at the time of the examination. Normally
there should be evidence of a period of 6 months follow up of the patients treatment. Cases
which were started more than seven years before the examination date cannot be submitted.
For further guidance see paragraph 4.

The submitted cases will be assessed and marked by two examiners. The related structured
oral examination will be an assessment of the candidates understanding of all aspects of the
cases. The oral examination lasting 60 minutes (20 minutes per case) will, when possible,
be carried out by two different examiners.

Marks will be awarded on the quality of the presentations (including clarity and relevance of
images, spelling and punctuation), the variety of cases treated, the different operative
techniques and management techniques used, the outcome of the treatment, and the
objective assessment and progress of the case.


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3.3 Four Simulated Cases

Candidates will be examined on two long simulated clinical case studies and two short
simulated clinical case studies.

Candidates will have twenty minutes of preparation time to examine each of the long case
studies. Candidates will then have a 20 minute structured oral examination with two
examiners on each of the long case studies.

Candidates will have ten minutes of preparation time to examine each of the short case
studies. Candidates will then have a 10 minute structured oral examination with two
examiners on each of the short case studies.

Therefore candidates will have a total of 1 hour of preparation time for this component of the
examination and will be examined for a total of 1 hour. Candidates will be allowed to make
notes on each of the case studies during the preparation time and to take these into the oral
examination.

3.4 Clinical Governance Project

The presentation of a Clinical Governance Project which the candidate has designed,
performed and analysed during training. The candidate will be assessed in three ways, as
follows:

a) A written summary of no more than 250 words, with a title containing no more than
12 words in Arial size 11 font. The summary must be submitted with the candidates
examination number clearly stated.

No reference to the candidates name, supervisor, institution or geographic location is
permitted.

The written summary should be submitted by the candidate by registered post or courier at
least 6 weeks prior to the start date (on the same CD-Rom or USB stick as the case
presentations) of the examination and be accompanied by a signed declaration (Appendix B)
in a sealed envelope.

b) The candidate will give an oral presentation for 10 minutes maximum with support
slides in Microsoft PowerPoint on a CD ROM. The candidate will be notified when it is 8
minutes in order to stop at 10 minutes. The CD ROM should be identifiable by the name of
the title of the project and the candidates examination number. No reference to the
candidates name, supervisor, institution or geographic location is permitted. It is advised
that the candidate has a back-up copy of the presentation on a second CD or Memory Stick.

The candidate should submit the final version of the presentation on a CD-ROM or USB stick
on the first day of the Examination. This will allow the administering College time to check
that the presentation will run on the available equipment/software.

c) A structured oral examination on both the written summary and the oral presentation
will immediately follow the presentation, this will last a maximum of 20 minutes.

The candidate should be able to explain clearly the process and demonstrate knowledge of
the relevant evidence base.

Marks shall be awarded for the written summary, the oral presentation, the Microsoft
PowerPoint presentation and the structured oral examination.

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4 Three Fully Documented Clinical Case Presentations (further guidance)

a) Candidates must comply with this guidance. Presentations should not exceed
2000 words which should include a summary (of a maximum of 100 words), and all
headings and image titles. A maximum of 20 images/photographs (including
radiographic images) can be included in the presentation. No more than 6 references
shall be permitted. One hard copy of each complete case presentation is required to
be brought to the examination.

b) The cases presented must have been treated by the candidate during the period of
acceptable training and should demonstrate the degree of complexity expected of a
practitioner operating at the level of a specialist. Cases that were started more than 7
years before the examination date will not be accepted.

c) The texts relating to each case must be neatly presented, single-sided, with
adequate margins and spacing, of A4 page size and in 11 Arial font. Each case must
be clearly labelled Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3. Each case must be in English.

d) For each case the candidate should provide a brief description of the relevant
history and the results obtained from clinical examination and relevant investigations.
Emphasis should be placed on the careful and complete assessment of the patients
needs in the light of all relevant circumstances. The candidate should refer to any
further investigations and/or treatment which may be required and comment on any
special difficulties which necessitated a modification of the initial treatment plan. Each
case presentation should end with an appraisal/reflection of the outcome of the
treatment together with a discussion of whether objectives were fully achieved. The
candidate should also indicate whether useful lessons have been learned which might
influence the management of similar problems in the future.

e) Each case presentation should include:

relevant clinical work, clinical tests and results, photographs, radiographs and
models (where appropriate); up to a maximum of 20 clear images
a brief summary of the case (maximum 100 words);
a summary of the medical, dental and social histories;
a clear statement of the aims, objectives and rationale for the treatment/s chosen
and undertaken;
a chronologic description of clinical work undertaken, giving clear attribution to the
work of others if appropriate (e.g. where multidisciplinary care has been required);
a reflective account of the problems/difficulties encountered during treatment and of
the outcomes;
the needs of the patient for ongoing, future or maintenance care.
If study models are to be included as part of the case presentation then these
should be submitted on the first day of the examination. Candidates who intend
submitting study models should clearly indicate this in the case presentation. The
candidate number should be clearly indicated on any case presentations which are
submitted.

f) In the case presentations all documentation, including radiographs,
photographs and study models, which could identify the patient must be
restricted to initials, gender and age. There should be no reference either to the
geographical location or institution where the patient received their treatment or
to the name of the candidate or their supervisor.

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g) A consent form (found in Appendix C of the Regulations) must be completed for
each case presentation and submitted to the Examination Section of the administering
College in a sealed envelope. This should then be sent by registered mail or courier
along with the CD-Rom or USB Stick containing the electronic copies of the cases.

h) A declaration form (found in Appendix D of the Regulations) must be completed for
each case presentation and submitted to the Examination Section of the administering
College in a sealed envelope. This should then be sent by registered mail or courier
along with the CD-Rom or USB Stick containing the electronic copies of the cases.

i) Cases which have been presented elsewhere may be presented for the Tri-
collegiate Membership in Paediatric Dentistry.

Candidates must submit their three fully documented case presentations by at least 6 weeks
prior to the start date of the Examination (the administering College will contact candidates
who have their applications accepted regarding the submission of cases). The cases must
be submitted electronically on a CD-ROM or USB stick. Submissions received after this
date will not normally be accepted.

The case presentations cannot be returned to candidates once successful submission has
been made although any candidate who submits study models will have these returned at
the end of the examination.

Candidates should ensure that the three cases demonstrate a variety of conditions thereby
enabling them to demonstrate a wide range of clinical and patient management skills for
different stages of developing dentitions in children. It is advisable to ensure that at least
two cases are in different stages of dental development. The use of local anaesthesia,
inhalation sedation or general anaesthesia can be demonstrated in the management of the
cases.

The table on the following page is a matrix indicating the patients and conditions which are
suitable for the fully documented case presentations.

Candidates are also advised to read the clinical case presentation template guidance in
Appendix E


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5 INFRINGMENT OF THE REGULATIONS

5.1 Candidates shall not give or receive any assistance or communicate by any means with
one another or any person, other than the invigilator(s) and examiner(s), at any time while
an Examination section is in progress. Any candidate acting in breach of this Regulation
or who is considered by the examiners to be guilty of behaviour prejudicial to the proper
management and conduct of the Examination may be suspended from the examination.

5.2 Candidates should not remove from the examination venue, or make copies of, any
papers or examination materials.

5.3 Candidates should not attempt to obtain confidential information relating to the
examination from an examiner or examination officials or pass confidential information on
the content of the examination to a third party.

5.4 Any candidate who infringes any of the Regulations may be refused admission to, or may
face expulsion from, the Examination. All instances of misconduct are reported to the
Chair of the Examination Board and/or Lead Examiner.

5.5 All allegations of misconduct will be investigated in accordance with the procedures
published on the Colleges websites; any penalties incurred will also be in accordance
with the published procedures.


Child with Primary
dentition
Mixed
dentition
Permanent
dentition

Disability/impairment/chronic
systemic disease


Fear/anxiety

Dental caries

Dento-alveolar trauma

Non-carious tooth wear

Teeth with malformed
enamel/dentine


Craniofacial and/or dental
anomalies


Malocclusion

Periodontal and soft tissue
lesions


Need for multidisciplinary
care


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6. GENERAL INFORMATION

6.1 In each component of the examination candidates are examined by two examiners.

6.2 Candidates should note that no practical clinical dentistry work will be required during
the examinations.

6.3 Candidates who fail the examination may request confidential advice concerning any
additional training which may be beneficial before attempting the examination again.
This request must be made to the administering College in writing after the results are
announced.


7 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A Learning Outcomes and Blueprint

APPENDIX B Declaration Form (Clinical Governance Project)

APPENDIX C Patient Consent Form (Case Presentations)

APPENDIX D Supervisor and Candidate Declaration Form (Case Presentations)

APPENDIX E Case History Template